[The lymphadenopathy syndrome. Immunologic studies of young homosexual men with and without lymphadenopathy]

Investigations on 147 young homosexual men living in Berlin (West) revealed lymphadenopathy in 61.2% (90 pat.). This finding was prominent in 43.4% of all cases. Evaluation of total T-, T-helper und T-suppressor lymphocytes by means of immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies showed an unchanged total number of T-lymphocytes; in contrast, the T-helper subpopulation was decreased and the T-suppressor subpopulation was increased in the peripheral blood, in comparison to a control group of heterosexual men. Therefore, a significantly reduced Th/Ts-ratio was supposed. These changes were more pronounced in the group with marked lymphadenopathy. Our investigations prove a high prevalence of lymphadenopathy and immune dysfunction among young homosexual men in Germany. Both are correlates of one syndrome characterized by persisting unexplained lymphadenopathy, immune dysfunction, and general clinical symptoms (including loss of weight, fever, diarrhoea, etc.). This so called lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) with the above mentioned clinical symptoms and reduction of the Th/Ts-ratio may represent a prodrome of AIDS. A long-term and careful follow-up of these patients is therefore necessary.